The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today vigorously

condemned the killing of a young media worker in Mogadishu, the capital of

Somalia who was gunned down on Sunday by unidentified armed men.

According to National Union of Somali

Journalists (NUSOJ), an IFJ affiliate, Zakariye Mohamed Mohamud Moallima a

young cameraman working as freelance journalist, was shot dead on Sunday

evening 16 September 2012 in Nasib Bundo neighborhood of Shibis district in

Mogadishu.

“This is another hard blow against the

media workers’ community in Somalia. We urge the new government to stop the

killings targeting media in the country,” said Gabriel Baglo, Director IFJ

Africa. 

The victim was attacked by men armed with

pistols who shot him in the head and chest, according to family members.

Zakariye died on the spot and the killers escaped from the scene, eyewitnesses

said.

“We mourn yet another colleague who is a

victim of bloody violence in the line of duty,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ

Secretary-General. “Zakariye’s death is a tragedy for his family and colleagues

who over years have confronted danger in covering their communities and

country.”

Zakariye Mohamed Mohamud Moallim, the son

of veteran journalist Mohamed Mohamud Moallim (aka MM Moallim), is the ninth

media worker to be killed in Somalia since January this year.

 For more information, please contact IFJ on

+221- 33 867 95 87

The IFJ represents more than 600.000 journalists in 134 countries